Los Angeles & Southern California - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [263]
Several amusement-park-style rides include Journey to Atlantis, a combination flume ride and roller coaster; and Wild Arctic, a simulated helicopter flight followed by a walk past beluga whales and polar bears. Expect long waits for rides, shows and exhibits during peak seasons.
The park is shamefully commercial – you’ll be subjected to deafeningly loud advertisements (many designed to appeal to small eyes and ears) as you wait in lines, there’s a corporate logo on everything in sight, and gift shops are unavoidable. Still, SeaWorld manages to do its share for animal conservation, rescue, rehabilitation, breeding and research.
At full price it’s a rather expensive day out, especially if you’re with kids to whom you can’t say no, though discount coupons are often available at hotel kiosks or online. Two-day tickets often cost only marginally more than single-day tickets. Even the tiniest stuffed Shamu costs $8. Food is expensive ($3 for packaged ice-cream), and the park prohibits coolers and picnic lunches (keep a cooler in the car and picnic outside the gates – be sure to get a hand-stamp for re-entry).
Inquire also about discounted combination tickets which include the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park, Universal Studios Hollywood and/or Disneyland.
By car, take SeaWorld Dr off I-5 less than a mile north of where it intersects with I-8. Parking costs $10. Check with the Metropolitan Transit System for public transit. Some hotels offer shuttles.
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ACTIVITIES
Surfing
A good number of San Diegans moved here for the surfing, and boy is it good. Even beginners will understand why it’s so popular.
Fall brings strong swells and offshore Santa Ana winds. In summer swells come from the south and southwest, and in winter from the west and northwest. Spring brings more frequent onshore winds, but the surfing can still be good. For the latest beach, weather and surf reports, call 619-221-8824.
Beginners should head to Mission or Pacific Beaches, where the waves are gentle. North of the Crystal Pier, Tourmaline Surf Beach is an especially good place to take your first strokes. Pacific Beach Surf Shop (Map; 858-373-1138; www.pacificbeachsurfschool.com; 4150 Mission Blvd, Suite 161, Pacific Beach; lesson per person for 1/2/3-5 people $85/80/75) provides instruction through its Pacific Beach Surf School. It has friendly service, and also rents wetsuits and both soft (foam) and hard (fiberglass) boards. Call ahead for lessons. You can also try Bob’s Mission Surf (Map; 858-483-8837; www.missionsurf.com; 4320 Mission Blvd, Pacific Beach). Rental rates at both vary depending on the quality of the equipment, but generally soft boards cost from $10/15 per half/full day; wet suits cost $5. Surfergirls (Map; 858-427-0644; www.alohasurfergirls.com; 736 Santa Clara Pl, Mission Beach; lessons from $55) is specially designed for, well, you get the idea, with private and group lessons and all the equipment. See also Cheap Rentals in Mission Beach (opposite).
The best surf breaks, from south to north, are at Imperial Beach (south of Coronado especially in winter); Point Loma (less accessible but less crowded; best in winter) and Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach (though it’s somewhat ‘owned’ by locals, meaning that you can expect to be heckled unless you’re an awesome surfer). The surf at Mission Beach is good for beginners and body boarders. In Pacific Beach, the waves are steep and fast around Crystal Pier, while Tourmaline Surfing Park is especially popular with long boarders.